Cliff Palefsky testifies on mandatory arbitration
San Francisco attorney Cliff Palefsky testified on Tuesday about the need for legislation to protect workers from losing their right to trial by jury through employer-imposed pre-dispute binding arbitration agreements. Palefsky testified to the House Judiciary Committee on behalf of the
National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), and a copy of his testimony is now available. The Committee is currently considering the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2009, HR 1020, which would prohibit employer-imposed arbitration agreements from having any effect on employment discrimination and retaliation claims that arise after the agreement is signed. Too many whistleblowers have lost their right to a trial by jury because of employer policies that require employees to sign away this right as a condition of employment. Hopefully, Congressional action passing this bill will restore the right to trial by jury for whistleblowers and for all of America's working men and women.
.jpg)